Launched in 2002, The European Institute’s Transatlantic Roundtable on Cooperation in Homeland Security, examines the opportunities and challenges for Europeans and Americans to strengthen cooperation and generate innovative new policies to improve the protection of infrastructure, resources, and citizenry from the threat of international terrorism. This project has been instrumental in bringing together U.S. administration officials, representatives from the U.S. Congress, leaders in European governments and the European Union, corporate representatives, and policy experts to exchange views on these critical issues.

Although the United States and Europe stand together on many common threats, greater transatlantic cooperation is required in the war against terrorism. In today’s increasingly challenging environment, non-state actors pose a broad range of threats that cut across myriad sectors and undermine the free flow of people, goods and services that is at the heart of the transatlantic relationship. The urgency of comprehensive and mutually beneficial civil security is a priority in both Europe and the United States, and cooperative policies and engagement have direct implications for both continents. The European Institute’s program promotes sustained dialogue between representatives of government agencies and industry to facilitate multinational initiatives, improve levels of exchange between the public and private sectors, and generate new public/private partnerships.

Recent Meetings:

On March 17, 2010, The European Institute held a special breakfast meeting of its Transatlantic Roundtable on Transportation regarding transatlantic cooperation on transportation security. A delegation from the European Parliament’s Transport Committee, including Chairman The Honorable Brian Simpson (S & D Party, UK), The Honorable Mathieu Grosch (European People’s Party, Belgium), The Honorable Saïd El Khadraoui (S & D Party, Belgium), and The Honorable Gesine Meissner (Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe, Germany) spoke about their visit to Washington and current civil aviation security issues in the European Union. Michael Scardaville, Director for European and Multilateral Affairs at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, provided a U.S. perspective on these pressing security matters. The main topics of discussion were the second U.S.-EU civil aviation agreement (Open Skies II), the U.S.-EU passenger name records agreement, privacy and human rights issues with the implementation of full body scanner in airports, the overall approach to civil aviation security, the increasing importance of high speed rail in the U.S., and the importance of the U.S. and EU to coordinate policies and procedures to ensure security on both sides of the Atlantic. A high emphasis was placed on increasing dialogue between the U.S. and EU on unresolved issues of contention. Passenger privacy and the protection of data are especially big concerns for Europe, and the U.S. and EU will continue to work together to try to find a holistic approach to providing security.

The Roundtable featured members of the European Parliament’s Committee on Transport and Tourism who presented an overview of their priorities, including: the negotiations of the second stage of the EU-U.S. Aviation Agreement; the EU’s Emissions Trading Scheme; air traffic management; the EU-U.S. agreement on aviation safety; and aviation and maritime security, including container scanning.  Members of the Committee’s delegation included: The Honorable Paolo Costa, Chairman of the Committee, The Honorable Georg Jarzembowski, and The Honorable Saïd El KhadraouiThe Honorable Jonathan Evans, Chairman of the European Parliament’s Delegation to the United States was also present and underlined the importance of continued EU-U.S. cooperation on transport issues.  The United States perspective was represented by Lynne Pickard, Deputy Director of the Office of Environment and Energy at the Federal Aviation Administration, who outlined the U.S. policy regarding aviation emissions, and Michael Scardaville, Acting Director of European and Multilateral Affairs at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, who addressed U.S. aviation security issues, in particular, the 100% container scanning initiative.

As unmanned aircraft systems multiply with astonishing rapidity and their contribution to earth surveillance and the treatment of emergency situations increases in parallel to the commercial, homeland security and military applications, there is a pressing need to ensure the security and environmental safety of this increased traffic. This seminar brought together representatives of the U.S. Administration and Congress, European officials, senior corporate executives, representatives from multilateral organizations, and experts to evaluate progress and identify current needs. Speakers included Peter van Blyenburgh, President of UVS International; Kenneth “Doug” Davis, UAS Program Office Manager for the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration; Sara Summers, UAS Deputy Project Manager for the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration; Douglas Koupash, Executive Director of Mission Support, Office of CBP Air and Marine, U.S. Customs and Border Protection; and Rear Admiral Wayne Justice, USCG, Assistant Commandant for Capability for the U.S. Coast Guard. Major General Michael Kostelnik, USAF (Ret), Assistant Commissioner for CBP Air and Marine, U.S. Customs and Border Protection presented keynote remarks.

Organized under the auspices of the Slovenian Presidency of the European Council, this meeting assessed the challenges and opportunities facing Europe and the United States in developing effective adaptation policies that will ensure global security and help prevent humanitarian disasters on a catastrophic scale. Rear Admiral Torben Ørting Joergensen, Assistant Chief of Staff for Capabilities, NATO Allied Command Transformation and Sherri Goodman, General Counsel, The CNA Corporation offered their perspectives on the security implications of climate change and the strategic adaptations they will require. Rafe Pomerance, President, Climate Policy Center gave his assessment of what adaptation policies are most necessary and what opportunities they present for greater transatlantic cooperation. Miriam Mozgan, Deputy Chief of Mission, Embassy of Slovenia presented the Slovenian Presidency’s priorities regarding this issue.

Dr. Jacques Bus, Head of Unit, Information and Communication Technology (ICT) for Trust and Security, DG Information Society at the European Commission outlined the European Union’s research priorities in seeking to ensure the security of critical infrastructures and networks, including the Internet. Presenting a U.S. perspectives were: Dr. David Boyd, Director, Command, Control, and Interoperability Division, U.S. Department of Homeland Security; Andy Purdy, former Acting Director of the National Cyber Security Division/US-CERT of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and current President of DRA Enterprises, Inc.; and Dr. Herbert Lin, Chief Scientist on the Computer Science and Telecommunications Board of the National Research Council. Roger Cochetti, Group Director for U.S. Public Policy at Computing Technology Industry Association moderated the discussion.